New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-11

DESPITE the fact that in the contests for tho
America cup the big cutters were badly beaten by
the big sloops, the number Of small cutters in
these waters is steadily increasing, and it looks
as though they have come to stay. With tho
sloops of their class they do much better than did
tho Galatea and Genesta. The cutter Cara, for
instance, which ranks with the thrd-class sloops.
has thus far moro than held her own with the
best of them. Yet the Clara is Of the narrow
type sometimes humorously called "toothpick'
The Cinderella is the fastest OF the third-clas1
sloops, though she hasn't yet succeeded in knock
ing out" the Clara, which was said to be tho
sIecial object Of her designer. The Cinderella
has dis lacement Of AZ tons and spreads 63
feet OF canvas per ton of displacement. Tho
Clara has displacement Of 37.5 tons and spreads
GA feet OF canvas per ton OF displacement Ihae
is the relative proportions OF displacement ana
sail area are more favorable in the cutter than
in the sloop.
But when similar comparison is made be-
tween the Galatea and Maytower the results ara
very different. The Galateas displacement Is l51
tons and she has only 48 feet of sail area per ton
Of displacement. The Mayfower's displacement
is only ITO tons and her sail area 70 feet per ton
Of displacement or course the relative proper
ton between sail spread and displacement docs
not settle everything, bat with other things equal
the boat which spreads most sail per ton OF
displacement is likely to come out ahead Ihe
discrepancy between the Galatea and Mayh0wef
in this respect is enormous, and suggests the
query whether after all the Galatea and GeneSta
are the best types of the large narrow cutter IL
would seem that somehow they were too big under
wat.r. Might not something like an enlarged
Clara, il she could be built without as mucn
draught as strict carrying out Of the relative
proportions would necessitate, do better? watson
himself said that he thought he could take tho
Cup with "a iOO-ton Dor,s,' that is boat Of
H. n.rfh rrnn
rover even than the Galatea or Genesta Ferhaps
after all as racing boat the big narrow cuttef
has not yet been cXtinguished II would be ex-
ccedln.ly interesting to see what speed watson
could get out OF boat OF that class
II the published estimates of the Thlsflc's meas
ur .n.rnts arc correct. With displacement OF lJS
tons she has SIS feet of sail area per ton of dis
placement The Volunteer exhibits about the
same proportions Dstw, sail area and .isplacc-
mcnt as does the May flower Ii the Thistle WIS
il Will probably start n cutter boom" A're5oy
Burgess, tearing in mind the wonderful work tar
his cutter Pal oosc has lone, states frankly fhae
he is ION the fence" and if he should go o'cr
to the cutter side great many people who pan
their faith to Inn VIII 30 over also. But they
will believe that Burgess can build faster cutter
than any Enellsbman and IT he does that un
national pride will be satisfied though the type
be undisguisedly English. But people in England
cling Icing 20 prcjndices and should the Voluntes
win, it is not likely that they will adopt INC
centreboard for big boats until at least they nave
tried again and yet perhaps again to captnr
the cup with cutter.